The future of genre in L2 writing: Fundamental, but contested, instructional decisions

In this essay, the author explores four fundamental, but contested topics in Genre-based Writing Instruction (GBWI) about which decisions must be made as curricula are developed. Drawing from the three major genre traditions (Hyon, 1996), the author examines the contested topics (naming, awareness/acquisition, pedagogical focus, and ideology) and suggests compromises for L2 practitioners who adopt a genre-based approach. # 2011 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.